Lisa Pennisi
School of Natural Resources
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ss
Prairie Pines is a 145 acre farm located at 112th and Adams in Northeast Lincoln. An area of diverse woodland and grassland habitats, it was gifted to the University of Nebraska Foundation in 1989 by Walt and Virginia Bagley for the purpose of: “aesthetic, scientific, educational and ecological functions compatible with its current status as agricultural land for the production of food and fiber crops.” Walt and Virginia provided UNL an unique property located in the peri-urban fringe of Lincoln.
Walt and Virginia bought Prairie Pines in 1959 and established a Christmas tree plantation encompassing 10 acres. Home to a Nebraska Statewide Arboretum started by Walt, Prairie Pines has 20 acres of woodland containing more than 200 species of woody plants.
Prairie Pines is also home to 10 acres of virgin prairie, and 30 acres of seeded prairie grasses and wildflowers.
Walt & Virginia Bagley
One major goal of the Bagleys is the development of an environmental learning center. Prairie Pines is the ideal location for development of the only sustainable agritourism demonstration farm in the region, another goal of the Bagleys.
Within the next 10 to 20 years the areas surrounding Prairie Pines will be fully developed, with a mix of low and high density housing.
With the development of Prairie Pines as a sustainable agritourism demonstration farm, UNL will join other universities, including several in the Big 10, operating small farms and environmental centers. UNL will also meet the growing needs of citizens concerned with learning how to increase nutrition and sustainability while curbing costs.
Place-based education is seen as increasingly important. Prairie Pines will offer the opportunity for undergraduate students to teach local school children in an outdoor environment. Surrounded by the beautiful Nebraska landscape, children taught at Prairie Pines will not only increase agricultural and ecological literacy, but they will emotionally connect to nature and Nebraska’s agricultural heritage.
Prairie Pines can offer children and families opportunities to increase agricultural and food literacy. Beyond growing crops, we can teach tasty and healthy ways to prepare farm fresh goods.
The wetland and other natural areas will provide hands-on opportunities to learn science in fun and exciting ways. UNL students will learn by doing in a living laboratory teaching the surrounding community.
